109 of the 294 complaints about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero are about the electrical system — 37% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 83,263 miles.
109
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone
NHTSA complaint #11444480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..
NHTSA complaint #11022049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10984370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND BATTERY WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS BRIEFLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE RESULTING IN THE DEVICE STOCKING AND BECOMING STUCK INOPERABLE. AT FIRST IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RUN POSSITION. IT WOULD FEEL STUCK AND TOOK SOME WIGGLING AND SHAKING IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. WHICH PROGRESSED TO BEING STUCK PERMANENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10876533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO THE CONTACT NOT HAVING THE ORIGINAL KEY FOB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10876061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
NHTSA complaint #10863470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A RECALL REPLACEMENT KEY THAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE FACTORY KEY PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALL REPLACEMENT KEY FAILED TO START THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION HAD TO BE EXPOSED IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10852806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, ONLY CRANK. STARTED NEXT MORNING AND HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. REPAIR SHOP SAID TO TAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR FIX. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN GM VEHICLES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING. THERE IS A WAY TO START IT SOMETIMES BY WAITING TEN MINUTES WITH KEY IN ACC AND THEN TURNING OFF AND THEN REMOVING THE KEY AND THEN RE STARTING. THIS IS WORKING BUT NOT ALWAYS. APPARENTLY GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO CORRECT IT. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE OR THE SECURITY SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY TURN THE CAR OFF. ALSO THERE IS DISCUSSION THAT THIS MAY ALSO BE A BAD IGNITION SWITCH BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SWITCH, ONLY THE KEY!
NHTSA complaint #10822967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK ASSEMBLY AND THE LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,227. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10816798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD GOT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL DONE IT WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT NOW ITS BACK ACTING UP MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAVE COME ON SINCE THEN AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE HAD MY CAR CHECK NUMEROUS TIME AND EVERYONE SAYS ITS MY IGNITION THATS MAKING MY CAR TRY NOT TO CRANK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TO TO TURN ON CAR AND AIRBAG LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #10790440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT REMAIN ON AND CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10786915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10781776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000. MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/28/2017
NHTSA complaint #10735086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED ANOTHER IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER WERE FAULTY, BUT THEY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017
NHTSA complaint #10732384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE CONTACT HAVING TO JIGGLE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ THE CONSUMER HAD A NEW CUT AT THE DEALER, AND IT SOLVED THE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/16/16
NHTSA complaint #10731173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10724321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER MIRROR SWITCH FAILED. LOSS OF MORE THAN ONE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS (FAULTY SWITCH OR FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK?). HVAC DIRECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED (A/C AND HEAT BLOWING OUT OF FRONT VENTS ONLY; SWITCH DOES NOT WORK).
NHTSA complaint #10721296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BLINKERS EVER SINCE. SOME DAYS THEY WILL WORK OFF AND ON, SOME DAYS NOT AT ALL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER. JUST THE OTHER DAY WE WERE ALMOST HIT BECAUSE MY BLINKER QUIT WORKING RIGHT BEFORE I MADE A RIGHT TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10717482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,800.
NHTSA complaint #10694691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL FOR IGNITION SYSTEM AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. THE TUMBLER ASSEMBLY AND KEY WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10668000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTED GOING OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE DAY AND NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE IS THAT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, FORCING ME TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE CAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER 7PM THROUGH 8AM I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET THE SIGNALS TO TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T WORK IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10689505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND WHEN IT DID START, IT WOULD SHUT OFF IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. *MW THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10659532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO START AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10678892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA complaint #10673004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF TWICE MORE. IT TOOK THE CONTACT ALMOST AN HOUR TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE THERMOSTAT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10672417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,865. UPDATED 02/20/15*LJ UPDATED 9/11/2017
NHTSA complaint #10664356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 25MPH AND 50MPH THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OFF AND WILL TAKE UP TO 10 MINUTES TO START. THIS OCCURS WEEKLY, I RECEIVED A RECALL CALL NOTICED STATING THAT IT WAS THE KEY FOB AND THAT KEY COVERS WERE INSTALLED ON 10-09-2014. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE INCREASED.
NHTSA complaint #10662372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEED TO HAVE THE IGNITION AND KEYS REPAIRED. *SS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS. HOWEVER, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2014, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAD DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10654386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10659333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.